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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
And the tradition continues, September 19, 2002
This review is from: Wind of Honor (Legend of the Five Rings: The Four Winds Saga, First Scroll) (Mass Market Paperback)
Although the new characters introduced in this new saga continues the series' trend to be interesting and multidimensional, I find myself keep looking for references or a snippet about the characters from the previous saga (The Clan War saga). I guess I like a complete ending similar to Tolkien's complete family tree style ending to the Lord of the Rings. But I also understand the need to detach the characters to benefit those who hasn't read the previous saga (what are you guys waiting for? :) One of the most interesting aspect of the series is the style of telling several stories that focuss on a single event but told from different perspectives. That's one of the thing that kept me reading. I'm glad to report that in this new saga, the style continues with numerous perspectives that starts to emerge with this first book (starts from the preamble by Mr. Bolme). Ms. Soesbee is one of my favorite writers in the Five Rings universe. Her subtle sense of defiance, flowing narration featuring a show of contrast perspectives continues to delight readers. I just hate to wait until next year for the next book... <sigh>
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book!, September 10, 2002
This review is from: Wind of Honor (Legend of the Five Rings: The Four Winds Saga, First Scroll) (Mass Market Paperback)
I will admit that I may be biased. I'm familiar with the world of Rokugan from the card game and I've read the previous Clan War series. But like anyone else, I still don't enjoy reading a boring or poorly written story (which often is the case with novels based on games or films). This book continues the strong story-telling and quality writing of Ed Bolme's _The Steel Throne_, which was the first book in this series. It's not necessary to have read any of the earlier books, this story stands alone (although I highly recommend Mr. Bolme's book, anyway). Nor do you have to be familiar with "The Legend of the Five Rings" card game. This series is about four siblings who are vying for the Throne of Rokugan, a country not too dissimilar to Feudal Japan with its Samurai warriors and codes of Honor. The protagonist here, is Tsudao, the first-born daughter of the Emperor. She is a prodigy at a young age, training hard and becoming one of the best swordsmen in the land. But the road to leadership is a hard one. Even the daughter of the Emperor has to negotiate the earning of trust of those she commands in battle, and battle is the one thing Tsudao knows she excells at. More treacherous is the human heart, the will of the Gods, the loyalty and deceit of those closest too her, the elaborate intrigues of the Court, and the fearsome plans of evil sorcerous powers hoping to conquor the Empire-- all things Tsudao hopes to avoid dealing with. Of course, we know that all these things will be unavoidable! There is a lot of action, epic battles, heart-stopping events, loyal sacrifice, twisted and tempting evil, nasty monsters, hidden courage and much more which help form the rites of passage suitable for a woman of which much is asked and much will be asked in the future. This book should appeal to anyone who likes fantasy adventure, strong female characters and/or has an interest in Asian settings.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
The Four Winds SAGA --- 1st Scroll., September 8, 2011
This review is from: Wind of Honor (Legend of the Five Rings: The Four Winds Saga, First Scroll) (Mass Market Paperback)
The Four Winds Saga covers the period of time right after the death of Akodo Toturi.
Each novel is about each of his four children as they ascend, grow, and battle for the right to be the next ruler of the Emerald Empire.
Wind of Honor is the first scroll of the series and it is a story about the first child of Toturi and Kaede named Toturi Tsudao. She is the second oldest child of Toturi
[...]
The book is scribed by Ree Soesbee, one of the best and most consistent creators and writers for the early L5R franchise.
The story begins with the introduction to Tsudao. An honorable samurai-ko who has been placed with many expectations for being the official oldest child of the Emperor and Empress. Being the oldest, she is the child who is expected to become the next heir to the Empire. This is something that Tsudao does not necessarily want, nor is ready for. We are first introduced to Tsudao as she leads a magistrate army against a group of bandits that are pillaging along the coast. With the strength of a great samurai, she is able to defend the empire and defeat the bandits...but not without upsetting a fellow samurai.
The reader is then told the specific story of Emperor Toturi's death and the events surrounding it. Followed by a gathering of the four siblings, and then a movement toward the development of Tsudao as she fights for the empire.
Tsudao surrounds herself with a decent cast of allies. The books depicts the events of "Junnosuke's Disgrace" to the "Assault on Shinomen Forest."
I enjoyed the novel, but not as much as the author's previous two works in the series (Way of the Crane, and Way of the Dragon.).
The novel is well written, but the characters are not as strong in this series as they were in the Clan War series. The book jumps from point to point, making it difficult to 'get into' the story and read it with a steady flow.
A strong point in the novel is the rivalry between Tsudao and Junnosuke. It is well developed and has a satisfying resolution. Some of the supporting cast in the novel is relatively weak, and there is no real major ramifications from the events in the novel.
Overall, it was an okay book and a decent read for hardcore L5R fans.
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